Perforating apparatus



Feb. 8, 1944. G. F. WALES 2,341,131

PERFO RATING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 8' I BY 0% ATTORNEY:

Feb. 8, 1944. 5, WALES I 2,341,131

PERFORATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

ATTORNEY:

Feb. 8, 1944. WALES I 2,341,131

PERFOVRATING APPARATUS Filed April 25. 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR JM Y @BYWW ATTORNEY-T Patented Feb. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PERFORATING APPARATUS George F. Wales, Bufialo, N. Y. Application April 25, 1941, Serial No. 390,397

25 Claims.

This invention relates to a punching machine which is adapted more particularly for punching holes in sheet metal although the same may be used for similar operations in angles, channels, extruded shapes and all otherforms and kinds of products within the capacity of the equipment. This invention pertains especially to the organization of the machine parts which haveto do with the mounting, adjusting and operating of the punch and die implements and to the method of using this equipment. 7

Heretofore punch and die implements have been mounted in machines where the individual pairs of punches and dies could be adjusted horizontally to change the spacings between adjacent pairs. These machines have been comprised of a bed and reciprocating ram and the punch and die implements have been mounted in holders attached to them. The lower holder has been provided with means for accommodating the die implements so they could be fastened in different positions along the bed and the upper holder has been attached to the ram whichmoved toward and away from the bed, said upper holder having been provided with means for accommodating the punch implements so they could be fastened in positions to cooperate with their companion die implements. The punch implements carried by the ram in this type of punching equipment have moved into operating position and out of it as the ram of the machine reciprocated. The adjusting and aligning of the pairs of punch and die implements of this construction has been the cause of much delay and expense in setting up for different patterns because of the necessity for fastening each punch in exact alignment with its companion die. It is well known in the art that the opening in the die implement must be larger than the size of the punch implement by an amount equal from 1% to 25% ofthe thickness of the metal to be punched, the standard rule followed my most die makers being from 5% to for mild steel.

This being the case it has obviously been a difficult matter to lower the ram of a press and clamp a number of punch implements which have been entered into openings in their companion die implements so that the amount of space between the punch size and die opening has been an equal amount all around. Heretofore alinement of the punch and die has usually been effected by rapping the punch to get it in alinement with the die and watching that the same remain in alinement while in use. This method, however, is ob.- jectionable inasmuch as the same is not only laborious and time wasting, but also results in producing work which has burrs and the punches and dies are dulled and worn out far in advance of their normal life expectancy.

Another type of multiple hole punching equipment is the type where the punch and die implements have been mounted in the same holder and in this type, while the clearance between the punch and die is the same all around, this type of unit has not been adjustable between centers and has, therefore, not been capable of performing the work of the present device.

Another type of hole punching device in which the punch and die implements have been mounted in the same holder is described in this applicants Patent No. 1,955,866.

In this patent the upper arm of the holder merely guides the punching implement and none of the pressure of the'ram is transmitted to it. This type of die has a holder which does not per mit the work to be fed clear through.

To summarize then, the three types of punching equipment are:

1'. Punches and dies horizontally adjustable along the bed and ram are difficult to set up.

2. Punches in fixed positions are not flexible, but easy to set up.

3. Punches according to Patent No. 1,955,866 which have floating punching elements do not permit sheets to be fed clear through.

The present invention for the first time in the applicants knowledge, installs the floating punch element features in a punching organization in a press where work may be fed clear through.

This invention had to conceive the new and novel features enumerated as follows:

lst.Rails on which punch and die implements could be mounted had to be conceived and built into the press to extend between the housings so that work as long as the distance between the housings might be operated upon.

2nd.Punching and die holders and elements had to be conceived for attachment on the rails so as to provide horizontal adjustment between individual holders not only lengthwise of the rail, but crosswise as well. This was necessary due to the warping of any unsupported rail due to temperature changes. It was necessary to conceive punching elements which when an independent ram pressed the punch through the work, did not cause deflecting pressure on the rail carrying said elements, but due to the novel design of the punching element andstripping guide, trans mitted all of the ram pressure onto the workpiece and into the die element rigidly supported by the bed.

3rd.-A method had to be conceived whereby the die element could be coupled with the punch element when rearranging to new positions, not only to assure perfect alignment between punch and die, but to couple them together for quick and convenient changing in new positions.

The objects of this invention are to provide a perforating apparatus which embodies improvements where the dimculties above mentioned are overcome and the advantages referred to are obtained quickly and economically.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a perforating press embodying the present improvement.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, of the die and punch units and adjacent parts of a perforating press in connection with which one feature ofthis invention is capable of being used for alining the die and punch units upon shifting the same horizontally from one working position to another.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the same.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line -l4, Fig. 3 and showing the punch depressed relative to the die for perforating a sheet of metal.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the means for alining a die unit and the actuating means of the companion punch unit so that the latter will cooperate with the die unit for producing perforations in the desired location in the sheet of metal.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the parts shown K in Fig. 5. v

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section taken on line 7-1, Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sec tion, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 8-43, Fig. 2.

In the following description similar reference characters indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings:

Although the improvements forming the subject of this application may be advantageously employed in connection with presses which vary in their detail construction the press shown in the drawings is wellsuited for use in connection with this invention and therefore preferred. In its general organization this press is shown as comprising a main frame having two upright end pieces or housing H], arranged lengthwise at opposite ends of the frame, a horizontal bed or beam l l forming the lower transverse member of the frame and connected at its opposite ends with the lower parts of the housings or end pieces, a horizontal head or beam I2 forming the upper transverse member of the frame and connected at its opposite ends with the upper parts of the end housings, and a vertically movable ram l3 guided at its opposite ends on the housings and I actuated in any suitable and well known manner.

The numeral M represents a lower horizontal supporting rail which i arranged transversely in the frame above the bed and connected at its opposite ends with the end housings ID of the frame. The numeral l represents an upper horizontal supporting rail arranged transversely in the main frame above the lower rail and connected at its opposite ends with the adjacent parts offth'e end housings of the main frame. The lower and upper supporting rails are spaced vertically from each other by a gap or throat I6 which extends lengthwise through the frame from the front side to the rear side thereof and through which the sheet metal workpiece I1 is adapted to pass as the operation of perforating the same progresses.

On the lower supporitng rail a plurality of die units are mounted and on the upper rail a plurality of punch units are mounted for cooperation with the respective die units to produce a plurality of perforations in the sheet metal workpiece by one operation of a pressing bar 18 which is mounted on the underside of the ram to move vertically therewith and cause the several punch units to cooperate simultaneously with the sev eral die units.

The several die units are arranged in a transverse row below the path of the work sheet which is to receive a row of holes and each of these die units is preferably constructed and mounted as followsi The numeral i9 represents an upright die which is round in cross section and provided with a vertical die'opening 20 extending to the upper end thereof and a slug discharge passage 2| extending from the lower end of the die opening to the side of the die. At its lower end this die is seated in a socket 22 which is formed in the upper'side of a die holder 23, the latter being provided with a knock-out opening 24 which leads from the lower end of the socket 22 to the side of the holder and permits of a tool to be engaged with the lower end of the die for removing the latter from the socket.

This die holder is mounted for horizontal and transverse adjustment on the lower rail so that the diecarried'thereby may be moved crosswise of the press and located in the proper position for forming a hole in a particular part of th work sheet.

Various means may be employed for accomplishing this purpose but those shown in the drawings are satisfactory and as there shown the same are constructed as follows:

The numeral 25 represents a horizontal guide rib formed on the front side of the lower rail I4 between the upper and lower side thereof and having a rearwardly inclined top 26, a horizontal bottom '21 and a vertical front 28, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. On its rear side the die holder 23 is provided with a horizontal groove or recess 29 which receives the rib 25 and is also provided with upper and lower vertical bearing faces 30, 3 above and below the recess which engage with upper and lower vertical bearing faces 32, 33 on the front side of the rail I4 above and below the rib 25 thereon. The top 31' of the recess 29 inclines rearwa'rdly and engages with the inclined top 26 of the rib 25, thereby forming a hook-like connection between the die holder and lower rail which permits this holder when free to' slide horizontally on this rail crosswise of the press without becoming detached therefrom. After the lower holder 23 and the die thereon have been moved horizontally on the lower rail into thegdesired position this holder is rigidly fastened against displacement on this rail by means which preferably include a horizontal clamping bolt having its body 3| l arranged in an opening 32! in the upper part'of this-holder and a horizontal slot 34! in the adjacent part of the lower rail while the head 34 at its front end bears against the bottom of a recess 35 in the front side of the die holder and its screw nut 36 engages with an enlargement 31 of the rear end of the slot 34! and thus forms a T-slot connection between this bolt and. the lower rail. On the lower part of the die holder the same carries a clamping pin 38 which is vertically slidable thereon and pressed at its upper end against the horizontal side 21 of the rib 25 by means of a pressure screw 39 working in a threaded opening 40 in the lower part of the die holder and having a conical rear end 4! which bears against the conical lower end 42 of the clamping pin 38.

The several punch units are arranged in a transverse row above the path of the work sheet which is to receive a row of holes and below the pressing bar [8 which actuates the punch units and each of these punch units is preferably constructed and mounted as follows:

The numeral 43 represents the body of a vertically movable punch which is provided at its lower end with a bit 44 arranged axially in line with the die opening 20 of the companion die l9. This punch body is slidable vertically in an upright stripper sleeve 45 which is slidable vertically in a guide opening 45 in a guide lug 41 which projects forwardly from the lower part of the body 48 of a punch holder mounted on the adjacent part of the upper supporting rail it. This stripper sleeve is adapted to engage its lower end with the top of the work sheet I! being perforated and at its upper end the same is provided with an external downwardly facing shoulder 19. The stripper sleeve is yieldingly held in its elevated inoperative position by a light helical lifting spring 50 surrounding the upper part of the stripper sleeve and resting at its lower end against the top of the lug while its upper end bears against the shoulder 49. The punch is yieldingly held in an elevated inoperative position by a relatively heavy helical lifting spring 5! surrounding the upper part of the punch body and resting at its lower end against the upper end of the stripper sleeve while its upper end engages with a downwardly facing shoulder 52. The upper ends of the bodies of th punches of the several punch units are arranged in a transverse row below the pressing bar I8 cf the press.

While a work sheet is being moved horizontally through the gap it between the supporting rails l4, l5 the pressing bar It is elevated to its highest position, or substantially so, whereby the several light springs 53 raise the several stripper sleeves 45 in which the lower ends of the latter are flush, or substantially flush, with the underside of the respective guide lugs 51, and the several punches are raised by the heavy springs 49 so that the lower ends of the bits of these punches are arranged flush with or slightly above the lower ends of the respective stripper sleeves. After the work sheet has been placed in the desired position between the die units and punch units of the press the mechanism for operating the pressing bar is started whereby the latter is moved downwardly into engagement with the upper ends of the several punches and the latter are moved into their lowermost position. During the first part of the downward movement of each punch the respective stripper sleev 45 moves downwardly in unison therewith inasmuch as the lower lifting spring 50 will be compressed but the upper lifting spring due to its greater strength or stiffness will not be compressed and simply moves downwardly in unison with the punch. This downward movement of each stripper sleeve continues until the lower end of the same engages with the top of the work sheet and holds the same firmly against displacement on the upper end of the respective punch. As the pressing bar continues its downward movement each punch is pushed downwardly so that the bit at the lower end of its body projects below the lower end of the respective stripper sleeve and passes through the Work sheet and enters the upper end of the die opening in the companion die, thereby completing the operation of perforating the work sheet, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Thereafter the pressing bar is raised by actuating mechanism of the press into a position in which the space between the underside of the pressing bar and the guide lugs 4'! of the several-punch holders is greater than the length of the punches so as to permit the same together with the stripper sleeves and lifting springs associated therewith to be removed upwardly from the guide openings 46 in the punch holder whenever this is required. When the pressing bar again reaches the upper end of its stroke the light lifting springs 50 have raised the stripper sleeves into their inoperative position flush with the underside of the die holder guide lugs 41 and the heavy lifting springs 5| have similarly raised the punches so that their bits are withdrawn within the stripper sleeves, whereby the mechanism is in position to permit the work sheet to be shifted horizontally for removing the same from the press or perforating other parts thereof.

Means are provided for mounting each of the punching units on the upper supporting rail so that the same is adjustable into different positions crosswise thereof and also accurately alining the same with its companion die so that the punch and die will cooperate properly without any binding action therebetween during the operation of producing perforations in the work sheet. The preferred form of the mounting and alining means shown in the drawings for accomplishing this purpose is constructed as follows:

The numeral 53 represents a hook-shaped lug projecting rearwardly from the upper part of the body 43 of the punch holder which overhangs a horizontal guide rib or flange 54 projecting forwardly from the lower part of the upper supporting rail 95, said lug having an inclined underside v5 which engages with the correspondingly inclined upper side 56 of said guide flange, as shown in Fig. 2.

By sliding the guide lug 53 of the punch holder on the guid flange 54 of the upper supporting rail, the punch may be adjusted crosswise of the machine relative to the companion die holder.

The underside 55 of the guide lug 53 is rounded crosswise of the press, as shown in Fig. 8, so as to permit of rocking the punch holder crosswise of the press for bringing the guide opening 46 of the punch holder in parallelism with the companion die.

Between the rear side of the lower part of the punch holder and the lower part of the front side of the upper supporting rail is arranged a vertically movable wedge 51 which tapers downwardly so that upon lowering this wedge the punch holder will be moved forwardly and upon raising this wedge the punch holder can be pushed rearwardly and thereby aid in alining the respective punch and die.

Lowering and raising of the wedge is preferably efiected by an adjusting stem 58 projecting upwardly from the upper end of the wedge through a vertical opening, st in the guide lug 53 and provided at its upper end with a screw thread fill, and a winged screw nut 6i engaging with the thread of said stem and capable of rotatingin a socket 62 in the top of said guide lug but held against vertical movement thereon by akey pin- 63 mounted on this lug and engaging with a circumferential groove 5d on the periphery of theadjusting nut, as shown in Figs. 2 and '7.

After the punch holder has been adjusted into the desired position on the upper supporting rail 45' these members are rigidly'connected by means whichpreferably consist of a clamping bolt having a-horizontal body 65 passing through an opening' 65 in the central part of the punch holder body, a vertical slot 67 in the wedge and a'horizontal T-slot E8 on the lower part of the upper supporting-rail, a headed on the front end of the bolt engaging with the front part of the punch holder, and a screw nut H1 arranged on the threaded rear end of the clamping bolt body and slidable in the enlarged rear part of the T-slot 68in the upper supporting rail.

Alining means are provided for accurately alining the punch and die when setting them up in the press so-that they cooperate properly for perforating the work sheet and also permit of maintaining this alinement when shifting the companion die unit and punch unit horizontally on th lower and upper supporting rails of the press when it is desired to change the location of the holes which are to be formed in the work sheet from one place thereon to another.

The alining means for this purpose comprises an upright alining tube or sleeve 1! whose bore l2 isof exactly the same diameter as the external diameter of the die It and whose periphery I3 is of exactly the same diameter-as the guide opening 46 which receives the stripper sleeve 55 of the punch unit, This alining tube is of sufficient length to extend from a place above the guide lug H of the punch unit to a place below the top of the die. At its upper end the alining tube is provided with a laterally projecting lip or lug 'hl which serves as a stop adapted to engage the upper side of the guide lug ll for limiting the downward movement of the alining tube on the punch holder and the die and also serves as a handlefor manipulating the alining tube while setting the die and punch units.

The procedure when setting up the die and punch units preparatory to starting the press for perforating a work sheet is preferably as follows:

After a die of the required size has been mounted on the holder of a die unit, and the punch, stripper sleeve and springs associated with the punch have been removed from the companion punch holder, an alining tube 'ii of the required size is inserted downwardly into the guide opening 46 of the punch holder and then the respective die holder and punch holder are moved horizontally relative to one another until the axes of the die and the punch are in exact alinement. The downward movement of the alining tube is now completed so that its lower end telescopes over the upper part of the die while its upper part is seated in the punch opening it, thereby interlocking the die holder and punch holder in the proper position for cooperation of the die and punch mounted on the respective holders.

The die and punch holders while thus interlocked are now moved in unison crosswise on the horizontal guideways formed by the lower and upper rails i4, id of the press frame until the axes of the die and punch are in exactly the correctposition for producing a hole in a particular part of the Work sheet and then the die and punch holders are securely fastened to the respective rails so that the same are rigid. Axial alinement of the die and punch holders for this purpose may not be possible by merely shifting these holders relatively to one another horizontally crosswise of the press in that the same must also be moved one relative to the other fore and aft of the press frame. This is accomplished by adjusting the wedge 51 so that the punch holder ismoved either forwardly or can be moved rearwardly in parallelism as much as may be necessary to aline the die and punch holders. It may also be found necessary to tilt the punch holder on its rail crosswise of the press in order to bring theaxis of its guide opening 46 in the proper position so that the alining tube therein may be slipped over the die n the die holder, as shown in Figs. 5- and 6. The tilting may be effected by rocking the punch holder crosswise sothat the same turns with its transversely curved surface 55 on the guide flange The adjustment of the lower and upper holders must be sufficiently accurate to permit the alining tube to be freely slipped into and out of engagement with the guide opening 45 and the die andwithout any binding action of the alining tube during this operation.

After the lower die and upper punch holders have been thus alined the lower and upper holders are securely fastened in place by tightening the bolts til, 65 and screws 39. Then the alining tube may be removed from the guide opening 46 of the punch holder and the die on the die holder and in its stead the stripper sleeve 15 is placed in the guide opening 48 and the punch and the lower and upper lifting springs 50 and 5| are assembled therewith in the manner shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, ready for proceeding with the operation of perforating sheet metal.

When it is desired to shift the companion die and punch units crosswise from one position in the press for changing the location of the opening in the work sheet which is to be perforated the operator first removes the punch, stripper sleeve and lifting springs forming parts of the punching unit from the respective punch holder while; the pressing bar 18 is in its elevated position and then replaces the same by an alining tube which is passed downwardly in the guide opening 46 of the die holder until the stop 14 engages with the top of the guide lug 41 and the lower part of the lining tube surrounds the upper part of the die, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. While the lower and upper holders are thus coupled by the aligning tube the means which fasten these holders to the lower and upper supporting rails are loosened and permit the holders to be moved transversely on these rails to the desired position. During this crosswise movement of the lower and upper holders they are held in alinement by the alining tube and compelled to move in unison so that the die and the punch guide do not require readjustment for bringing the die and punch guide into proper register. It therefore merely requires removal of the alining tube and substituting therefor the punch, stripper sleeve and lifting springs of the punch unit and tightening the means which fasten the lower and upper holders to the lower and upper supporting rails, thereby restoring the. perforating mechanism to an operative condition.

It will be apparent. that the means for thus alining the die and punch units permit of quickly and easily changing the positions of these parts in the pressand thus facilitate using the same die and punch units for forming holes in different parts of a sheet or the like at a considerable saving in time and cost of operation.

I claim as my invention:

1. A perforating apparatus comprising a frame having a horizontal rail, a horizontal rib on the front side of said rail, a holder adjustable lengthwise of said rail and having a hook engaging over said rib, means for fastening the holder to said rail, a wedge movable vertically between said rail and holder, a punch mounted on said holder, a die for cooperation with said punch, a ram for actuating said punch, and means for adjusting said wedge including a threaded stem connected with said wedge, and a screw nut which works on said stem and which is mounted on said holder so as to be capable of rotation but held against moving lengthwise of said stem.

2. A perforating apparatus comprising a frame having a horizontal rail, a horizontal rib on the front side of said rail, a holder adjustble lengthwise of said rail and having a hook engaging over said rib, means for fastening the holder to said rail, a wedge movable vertically between said rail and holder, a punch mounted on said holder, a die for cooperation with said punch, a ram for actuating said punch, and means for adjusting said wedge including a stem connected with the wedge, a nut having a screw connection with said stem and rotatable in a socket on said holder and provided with a circumferential groove on its periphery, and a pin mounted on said holder and extending into said groove.

3. A perforating apparatus comprising a main frame, a lower horizontal longitudinal supporting rail mounted on the lower part of said frame and provided on its front side with a horizontal longitudinal guideway, a shoe adjustable lengthwise on said guideway, a die mounted on said shoe, fastening means for securing said shoe against movement on said lower rail, an upper horizontal longitudinal rail mounted on the upper part of said frame and provided on its front side with a hori zontal longitudinal guideway, a holder adjustable lengthwise and horizontally on the guideway of said upper rail and also adjustable transversely relative thereto, means for moving said holder transversely on said upper rail including a wedge slidably interposed between said upper rail and said holder, fastening means for securing said holder against movement on said upper rail, a punch movable vertically on said holder and adapted to cooperate with said die, and a ram movably mounted on said frame independently of said punch and adapted to engage said punch and depress the same into operative relation to said die.

4. A perforating apparatus comprising a main frame, a lower horizontal longitudinal rail mounted on the lower part of said frame, a shoe adjustable horizontally and lengthwise on said lower rail, an upper horizontal longitudinal rail mounted on the upper part of said frame and provided on its front side with a horizontal longitudinal rib the upper side of which inclines inwardly, an upper holder adjustable horizontally and lengthwise on said upper rail and having a recess on its inner side which receives the rib of said upper rail and the upper side of which is inclined and engages with the inclined upper side of the rib on said upper rail, a punch mounted on said holder and adapted to cooperate with said die, fastening means for adjustably securing said holder to said upper rail, and a, ram movably mounted on said frame independently of said punch and adapted to depress said punch into operative relation with said die, the inclined upper side of said recess in the holder being rounded in a plane lengthwise of said upper rail to enable said holder to rock lengthwise of the upper rail for bringing the punch mounted thereon in alinement with said die,

5. In a punching apparatus, the combination with supporting means, a die holder adjustable horizontally on said supporting means, a die mounted on said die holder to move therewith, a punch holder adjustable on said supporting means parallel with the line of adjustment of said die holder and provided with a guideway, and a punching unit slidable in said guideway and including a punch movable toward and from said die; of alining means which are separate from said die and punching unit and whereby said die holder and punch holder are coupled and held in a relative position in which the axes of the die and punching unit are in alinement and said die holder and punch holder can be moved horizontally in unison without disturbing the axial alinement of said die and punch holders.

6. In a punching apparatus, the combination with supporting means, a die holder adjustable horizontally on said supporting means, a die mounted on said die holder to move therewith, a punch holder adjustable on said supporting means parallel with the line of adjustment of said die holder and provided with a guideway, and a punching unitslidable in said guideway and including a punch movable toward and from said die; of alining means which are separate from said die and punching unit and which are substituted for the same and engaged with said guideway and with said die for maintaining said die and guideway in axial alinement and enable the die holder and punch holder to be moved horizontally in unison without disturbing the axial alinement of said dieand the punch guide- Way.

'7. In a punching apparatus, the combination with supporting means, a die holder adjustable horizontally on said supporting means, a die mounted on said die holder and movable therewith and having a cylindrical periphery, a punch holder adjustable on said supporting means parallel with the line of adjustment of said die holder and having. a cylindrical guide opening which normally is axially in line with the axis of said die, a punching unit having a cylindrical guide sleeve slidable lengthwise in said guide opening and a punch slidable axially in said guide sleeve toward and from said die; of alining means which are separate from said die and punching unit and which comprise a cylindrical alining tube which is substituted for the punching unit and slides lengthwise in said guide opening with its periphery in engagement with the 1 bore of said guide opening and also slidable lengthwise on said die with its bore in engagement with the periphery of said die, whereby said die holder and punch holder may be adjusted horizontally in unison and the axes of the die and punching unit maintained in alinement during such adjustment and permit replacement of the punching unit on said punch holder in position for proper cooperation between the punch and die without further adjustment.

8. A punching apparatus comprising a rail having a horizontal longitudinal shoulder, a punching element, and a holder carrying said punching element and having a hook the underside of which is of curved form. and engages said shoulder so that said holder can slide lengthwise and also rock on said shoulder.

9. The hereindescribed method of maintaining in axial alinement the die and punch of a perforating apparatus when moving the units of which the die and punch form a part horizontally from one operating position to another, which method comprises removing the punching unit from its holder, substituting for the punching unit an alining tool on the punch unit holder and so engaging said alining tool with a part of said die unit that the holder supporting the die and the holder supporting the alining tool are movable horizontally in unison in a position in which the axes of the die and punch are in alinement and permit the punching unit to be restored on the punch holder and resume normal operation of perforating material without requiring further adjustment to bring the die and punch into axial alinement.

10. The hereindescribed method of maintaining in axial alinement the die and punch of a perforating apparatus when moving the units of which the die and punch form a part horizontally from one operating position to another, which method comprises removing the punching unit from its holder, substituting for the punching unit an alining tool on the punch unit holder and so engaging said alining tool with said die that the holder supporting the die and the holder supporting the alining tool are movable horizontally in unison in a position in which the axes of the die and punch are in alinement and permit the punching unit to be restored on the punch holder and resume normal operation of perforating material without requiring further adjustment to bring the die and punch into axial alinement.

11. The hereindescribed method of adjusting the operating position of the Working parts of a perforating apparatus having a horizontally adjustable die holder, a die mounted on said die holder and having a die opening, a horizontally adjustable punch holder having a guide opening, a guide tube slidable in said opening, and a punch slidable in said guide tube and adapted to enter said die opening, said method comprising substituting for said sleeve and punch an alining tube and engaging the periphery oi the same with the bore of said guide opening and engaging the bore of the same with the periphery of said die, thereby interlocking said punch holder and die unit in a position in which said die opening and guide opening are in axial alinement, moving said die and punch holder and the parts mounted thereon horizontally in unison from one position to another, removing the alining tube from said punch holder and die, and restoring the guide tube and punch to the guide opening in the punch holder.

12. In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising an additional beam positioned above said bed, between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that the forward face of said beam is set back from the path of said ram a sufficient distance to allow punch implements mounted on the face of said beam to be operated by said ram without interference from said beam.

13. In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned above said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned .above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that individual and horizontally adjustable die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with individual and horizontally adjustable punch implements mounted on said upper beam to punch work fed between said lower and upper beams when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements none of which implements are attached to the ram of the machine.

14. In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram cperatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that in dividual and horizontally adjustable die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with individual and horizontally adjustable punch implements mounted on said upper beam to punch work fed between said lower and upper beams when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements through said work, none of which implements are attached to the ram of the machine, said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said die implements and said upper punch beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting such punch implements.

In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that individual and horizontally adjustable die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with individual and horizontally adjustable punch implement-s mounted on said upper beam to punch work fed between said lower and upper beams when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements, none of which are attached to the ram of the machine, said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said die implements along the vertical face of said lower beam and said upper punch beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said upper beam.

16. In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that individual and horizontally adjustable die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with individual and horizontally adjustable punch implements mounted on said upper beam to punch work fed between said lower and upper beams when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements, none of which are attached to the ram of the machine, said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said die implements along the vertical face of said lower beam including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the die implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said die holders to said lower beam in desired relation to one another and said upper beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said beam including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the punch implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said punch hold ers to said upper beam in concentric relation to said die implements.

17. In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with punch implements mounted on said upper beam to punch work fed between said lower and upperbeams when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements, none of which are attached to the ram of the machine, said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said die implements along the vertical face of said lower beam and said upper punch beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said upper beam, including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the die implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said die holders to said lower beam in desired relation to one another, and said upper beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said beam including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the punch implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said punch holders to said upper beam in concentric relation to said die implements and individual means for adjusting each of said punch implement holders toward and away from the vertical face of said beam.

18. In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with punch implements mounted on said upper beam, when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements, which are not attached to the ram of the machine said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said die implements along the vertical face of said lower beam, and said upper punch beam being provided withmeans for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said upper beam, including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the die implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said die holders to said lower beam in desired relation to one another, and including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the punch implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said punch holders to said upper beam in concentric relation to said die implements and individual means for adjusting the implement holders toward or away from the vertical faces of said beams.

19. In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with punch implements mounted on said upper beam, when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements, which are not attached to the ram of the machine said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said die implements along the vertical face of said lower beam, and said upper punch beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said upper beam, including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the die implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said die holders to said lower beam in desired relation to one another, and said upper beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said beam including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the punch implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said punch holders to said upper beam in concentric relation to said die implements and individual means for adjusting each of said punch implement holders toward and away from the Vertical face of said beam, including a wedge movable vertically between said beam and holder and means for adjustably moving said wedge up or down with relation to said holder and beam thereby providing a horizontal front to back adjustment which when used in conjunction with the provision for lateral horizontal adjustment along said beam enables each punch holder to be clamped in exact concentric relation with its companion die implement.

20. In a punching machine having a reciproeating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with punch implements mounted on said upper beam, when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements, which are not attached to the ram or" the machine said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said die implements along the vertical face of said lower beam, and said upper punch beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said upper beam, including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the die implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said die holders to said lower beam in desired relation to one another, and said upper beam being provided with means for adjustabiy mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said beam including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the punch implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said punch holders to said upper beam in concentric relation to said die implements and individual means for adjusting each of said implement holders toward and away from the vertical face of the beam, including a wedge movable vertically between said beam and holder and means for adjustably moving said wedge up or down with relation to said holder and beam, thereby providing a horizontal front to back adjustment which when used in conjunction with the provision for lateral horizontal adjustment along said beam enables each punch holder to be clamped in exact concentric relation above its companion die implement, and means for assuring said concentric positioning including a separate aligning means for coupling said punch implement holder to said die implement.

21. In a punching machine having a reciprocating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with punch implements mounted on said upper beam, when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements, which are not attached to the ram of the machine said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said die implements along the vertical face of said lower beam, and said upper punch beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said upper beam, including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the die implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said die holders to said lower beam in desired relation to one another, and said upper beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said beam including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the punch implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said punch holders to said upper beam in concentric relation to said die implements and individual means for adjusting each of said implement holders toward and away from the vertical face of the beam, including a wedge movable vertically between said beam and holder and means for adjustably moving said wedge up or down with relation to said holder and beam, thereby providing a horizontal front to back adjustment which when used in conjunction with the provision for lateral horizontal adjustment along said beam enables each punch holder to be clamped in exact concentric relation above its companion die implement, and means for assuring said concentric positioning including a separate aligning means for coupling said punch implement holder to said die implement, said aligning means comprising a tubular sleeve, the outside diameter of which fits slidably into the punch implement opening in the punch implement holder after said implements have been removed while at the same time the inside diameter of said sleeve fits slidably'over said die implement to couple said holder and die implement together and retain the same in alignment when moved to new positions along said beams.

22. In a punching machine having a reciproeating ram operatively mounted on frame columns spaced apart and mainly held together by a top crown and lower bed, a mounting comprising a lower die implement beam positioned on said bed, an upper punch implement beam positioned above said die implement beam, both of said beams extending between said columns and being attached thereto in such manner that die implements mounted on said lower beam cooperate with punch implements mounted on said upper beam, when said ram reciprocates to depress said punch implements, which are not at tached to the ram of the machine said lower die implement beam being provided with means for adiustably mounting said die implements along the vertical face of said lower beam, and said upper punch beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said upper beam, including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the die implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said die holders to said lower beam in desired relation to one another, and said upper beam being provided with means for adjustably mounting said punch implements along the vertical face of said beam including a protruding horizontal ledge on which the punch implement holders are adapted to rest and means for individually clamping said punch holders to said upper beam in concentric relation to said die implements and individual means for adjusting each of said implement holders toward and away from the vertical face of the beam, including a wedge movable vertically between said beam and holder and means for adjustably moving said wedge up or down with relation to said holder and beam, thereby pro- Viding a horizontal front to back adjustment which when used in conjunction with the provision for lateral horizontal adjustment along said beam enables each punch holder to be clamped in exact concentric relation above its companion die implement, and means for assuring said concentric positioning including a separate aligning means for coupling said punch implement holder to said die implement, said aligning means COlnprising a tubular sleeve, the outside diameter of which fits slidably into the punch implement opening in the punch implement holder after said implements have been removed while at the same time the inside diameter of said sleeve fits slidably over said die implement to couple said holder and die implement together and retain the same in alignment when moved to new positions along said beams, said aligning means acting as a telltale or indicator to assure proper alignment of said punch and die implement by binding when said punch and die implement holders are clamped to their respective beams so that said aligning means offers resistance to removal from said punch implement holder when said holder and die implement are not in proper alignment but offers little resistance when they are,

23. In a machine having a reciprocating ram, lower bed, and frame members spaced apart, a punching apparatus comprising a lower die implement beam positioned over said bed, an upper punch implement beam spaced and positioned above said die implement beam, individual and horizontally adjustable die implements mounted on said lower beam, individual and horizontally adjustable punch implements mounted on said upper beam including means for longitudinal adjustment of said implement holders along said beams comprising bearing means and clamping means for positioning and attaching said holders to their respective beams in paired concentric relation with one another, each of said punch implements comprising an upper holder provided with an upright guide opening, a punch stripper sleeve slidable vertically in said guide opening, a spring interposed between said upper holder and stripper sleeve and adapted to lift the latter, a punch slidable in said stripper sleeve and adapted to cooperate at its lower end with said die while its upper end is adapted to be engaged by said ram, a spring interposed between said punch and stripper sleeve and adapted to strip the punch from the work, said die implement comprising a lower holder provided with an upright opening into which is rigidly mounted an upwardly pro jecting die element.

24. In a machine having a reciprocating ram, lower bed, and frame members spaced apart, a

punching apparatus comprising a lower die implement beam positioned over said bed, an upper punch implement beam spaced and positioned above said die implement beam, individual and horizontally adjustable die implements mounted on said lower beam, individual and horizontally adjustable punch implements mounted on said upper beam including means for longitudinal adjustment of said implement holders along said beams comprising bearing means and clamping means for positioning and attaching said holders to their respective beams in paired concentric relation with one another, each of said punch implements comprising an upper holder provided with an upright guide opening, a punch stripper sleeve slidable vertically in said guide opening, a spring interposed between said upper holder and stripper sleeve and adapted to lift the latter, a punch slidable in said stripper sleeve and adapted to cooperate at its lower end with said die while its upper end is adapted to be engaged by said ram, a spring interposed between said punch and stripper sleeve and adapted to strip the punch from the work said die implement comprising a lower holder provided with an upright opening into which is rigidly mounted an upwardly projecting die element including longitudinal horizontal bearing ledges on said beams on which said holders bear and along which said holders may be mounted and clamping means for attaching said holders to their respective beams, includin undercut slots running lengthwise of said beams for the accommodation of nuts which cooperate with bolts extending through said holders.

25. In a machine having a reciprocating ram, lower bed, and frame members spaced apart, a punching apparatus comprising a lower die im plement beam positioned over said bed, an upper punch implement beam spaced and positioned above said die implement beam, individual and horizontally adjustable die implements mounted on said lower beam, individual and horizontally adjustable punch implements mounted on said upper beam including means for longitudinal adjustment of said implement holders along said beams comprising bearing means and clamping means for positioning and attaching said holders to their respective beams in paired concentric relation with one another, each of said punch implements comprising an upper holder provided with an upright guide opening, a punch stripper sleeve slidable vertically in said guide opening, a spring interposed between said upper holder and stripper sleeve and adapted to lift the latter, a punch slidable in said stripper sleeve and adapted to cooperate at its lower end with said die while its upper end is adapted to be engaged by said ram, a spring interposed between said punch and stripper sleeve and adapted to strip the punch from the work said die implement comprising a lower holder provided with an upright opening into which is rigidly mounted an upwardly projecting die element including longitudinal horizontal bearing ledges on said beams on which said holders bear and along which said holders may be mounted and clamping means for attaching said holders to their respective beams, including undercut slots running lengthwise of said beams for the accommodation of nuts which cooperate with bolts extending through said hold ers, and an aligning sleeve adapted to be inserted in said guide opening in place of said stripper sleeve and the parts carried thereby and to telescope over the upper end of said die for coupling said lower and upper holders in a position in which said die and guide opening are in concentric alignment and compelled to move in unison lengthwise of said beams.

GEORGE F. WALES. 

